Eagles must go for finest items available on shopping list

With the removal of Howie Roseman as the point man for free-agent philosophy, it's very possible the Philadelphia Eagles will become a little more bold in their pursuit of veteran players this offseason. And if ever there was a time, this would be it.

Perennially $20 million to $24 million under the salary cap, the Eagles might need to spend closer to the limit if they want to avoid taking another step back in their pursuit of that elusive Lombardi Trophy as coach Chip Kelly heads into his third season. Too many holes exist on the roster for them to fill in the NFL Draft.

Starting with the back end of the defense, here's a look at the potential free agents and a suggested prioritized shopping list by position that could best help them get through the 2015 regular season and into the postseason, which is unrealistic the way they stand now.

OK, so when the Eagles signed the other Patriots safety two years ago, that didn't work out. But did anyone really believe Patrick Chung was going to be special? He was terrible in 2012, which is why the Patriots allowed him to leave in the first place, and was worse after suffering a shoulder injury early in 2013, when he proved he can't play hurt. The only reason he rebounded with a good 2014 season was because he avoided injury, which was a fluke when you look at his career.

A look at the potential free agents that could best help the Philadelphia Eagles get through the 2015 regular season and into the postseason. (Nick Fierro)

Anyway, McCourty is a different player. More durable, smarter and just plain better.

Gipson is restricted, so he probably won't hit the market, but if the Eagles have any chance to get him, they should pounce. The Browns were well on their way to the playoffs and possibly an AFC North crown when a sprained MCL sidelined him for the final five games, in which they went 0-5.

Potential quarterbacks of interest for the Philadelphia Eagles for 2015.

His absence wasn't the main reason, of course, but it had something to do with it.

Searcy, 26, intercepted three passes in his first full season as a starter in 2013.

Maxwell may not be the best of the free-agent bunch, but he's 6-1 and thus the best fit to help erase the Legion of Gloom label this secondary has appropriately had tattooed to its backside over the second half of 2014.

Cox finished with five interceptions, or two more than the combined total of the Eagles' starting corners — one more when you add nickel back Brandon Boykin.

Flowers is only 5-9, so he might not fit Kelly's size requirements for the position. But his 20 career interceptions over seven years are more than the 17 total by the Eagles' starters in their combined 13 years.

Houston followed two very good seasons with a monster, 22-sack performance in 2014. If the Chiefs let him go, their loyal fans might violently revolt. But the Eagles must position themselves to win the insane bidding war that would ensue if he does hit the market.

He's also just 26 and coming off personal bests in tackles (69) and forced fumbles (four).

Worilds is someone the Eagles have reportedly been interested in for a long time. This year may finally be their chance, especially if the Steelers transition to a 4-3 with longtime coordinator Dick LeBeau out of the picture.

Graham has proved himself to be an excellent pass rusher and enthusiastic player in their system. But he almost certainly will get a better offer as a 4-3 end, his best position, if he gets to listen to other offers.

Bryant may be the finest receiver in the game today, which is why it's doubtful he'll be allowed to leave. However, if the Eagles would be fortunate enough to land him, they would be infinitely better going to war with him filling the role Maclin did last year. This is no offense to Maclin, who also deserves big money, but it's just the way it is.

Oh, and by the way, it was a catch.

Thomas' career took off with the arrival of Peyton Manning in 2012, but he was always talented and he also goes 6-3, 230. Big people beat up little people, as Kelly likes to say.

Maclin would be the next best option here after his career season in 2014.

Flynn is like the former Soviet Union: a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma. He's had only seven career starts but has had the misfortune of playing behind Aaron Rodgers and Russell Wilson for all but less than half a season of his seven in the league.

The more aggressive the Eagles are in landing true game-changers in free agency (provided they do actually become available), the easier it will be to attack the draft at the end of April.

That starts with decisions on their own free agents, such as Maclin, Graham, cornerback Bradley Fletcher, safety Nate Allen, quarterback Mark Sanchez and those whose contracts may need to be restructured or possibly terminated to allow for a suitable tweaking of the roster.

Those include running back LeSean McCoy, outside linebacker Trent Cole and inside linebacker DeMeco Ryans, who's 30 and coming off a second torn Achilles tendon suffered midway through last season.

It's Kelly's show and Kelly's show only now.

So to paraphrase Andy Dufresne from "The Shawshank Redemption", get busy buildin' or get busy losin.'